University College Dublin 0, Dundee United 2

HE MADE a goal on Monday but Dundee United’s new Argentinian striker Damian Casalinuovo went one better last night, writes Ian Roache in Dublin.

Having helped to fire a comeback in the first game of their Irish visit against Drogheda, Casalinuovo hit the back of the net himself against UCD.

The always impressive Scott Robertson made it two in the final minute to cap a good workout at Belfield Stadium.

United boss Craig Levein does not want to put pressure on Casalinuovo by talking him up too much, so he reserved his highest praise for Robertson.

“The most pleasing thing for me was the way Scott played tonight,” said .

“He was back to his old self and is getting closer and closer to full fitness.

“Also, Damian was one of the players who showed up well in the first half and I though he did well.

“We finished the game strongly so that’s another plus. We are still not sharp but we are still working away.”

Levein made nine changes to the line-up that kicked off at Drogheda the previous evening, with only Garry Kenneth and Mihael Kovacevic the survivors.

Casalinuovo slotted in up front, with David Goodwillie and Johnny Russell adding further attacking threat.

There was also an opportunity for 17-year-old central defender Ross Smith to catch Levein’s eye.

The Eircom first division side were first to threaten when a header from David McMillan went past the post on eight minutes.

Sean Harding fired just over for the students before United goalie Steve Banks dived to his left to pick a Ciaran Nangle strike out of the air.

United needed to find a spark but once again it was UCD who came close on 22 minutes, with Greg Bolger’s free-kick curling right across goal without a taker.

Casalinuovo was the man who gave his side the lift they required on Monday and you wondered whether he could do so again.

The answer was an emphatic yes as, in the Tangerines’ first serious attack, he grabbed the lead four minutes before the interval.

Midfielder Danny Swanson prodded the ball forward into the box and home keeper Billy Brennan fluffed his attempt at a block. The loose ball fell to the Argentinian and, showing good composure when surrounded by a posse of opposition players, he controlled the ball before blasting low into the net.

Kenneth made way for Paul Dixon at the start of the second half, with Kovacevic joining Smith at the heart of the backline, while UCD made seven changes.

Dixon was quick to announce his arrival with a netbound long-range strike that blasted against UCD defender Michael Leahy.

Jeno Myrie-Williams took the place of Johnny Russell on 62 minutes after the young frontman needed treatment for a knock.

A surging run from the edge of his own box by Swanson saw him release Dixon, whose cross was nearly turned in by Goodwillie.

United had to be alert at the other end, though, and had goalie Banks to thank when the veteran produced a brilliant one-handed save to keep out sub Chris Mulhall’s rocket shot on 73 minutes.

Goodwillie then nodded down into Myrie-Williams but his shot flew past the post, while UCD sub Sylvester Eigboba wasted a golden chance to level when he chipped into Banks’ arms when clean through.

Goalscorer Casalinuovo earned a cheer from the away fans as he made his exit on 78 minutes, replaced by midfielder Ryan McCord.

The Tannadice men should have made it two with eight minutes left when a blunder by UCD defender Leahy allowed Swanson a clear path to goal, but the wee man’s shot was held by the out-rushing Brennan.

Myrie-Williams struck the side-netting when he should have done better, then the stage was cleared for Robertson to cap another fine display with a low shot from the edge of the box after he was found by a Sean Dillon pass.

Attendance—200 (est).

UCD—Brennan, Harding, Nangle, Shorthall, McMillan, Bolger, Ward, Finn, Purcell, McMillan, Roche. Subs—Leahy, Boyle, Mulhall, O’Connor, Timmons, Matthews, Reilly, Eigboba, Byrne.

Dundee United—Banks, Dillon, Conway, Robertson, Swanson, Kenneth (Dixon 45), Kovacevic (Dods 83), Casalinuovo (McCord 78), Goodwillie, Russell (Myrie-Williams 62), Smith. Subs not used—Grant, Cadamarteri, Gomis, Shala, Cameron.

Referee—F O’Flaherty.